The talking is over and it’s time for motion! Time to step into the ring, the horses are ready. The 2025 Cheltenham Festival is finally here – and so are my Cheltenham day 1 suggestions!
What a captivating opening day we have now in store and from the very first race punters and bookmakers will do battle. With the late diversion of Lossiemouth into the Mares there may be going to be 4 odds-on favourites on the very first day which may very well be problematic for the bookies and bedlam for punters.
I even have got stuck into each of the seven races on Day 1 and hopefully we are able to have a profitable afternoon as we all know a superb start in an enormous Festival like that is at all times crucial!
Quick Cheltenham Day 1 suggestions
Win Singles
Each way Double
🥈 Go for the double at 18.5/1 with bet365 🥈
Win Treble
- Majborough
- Lossiemouth
- Structure Hill
🥉 Take the treble at 3.06/1 with Betfred 🥉
Top 5 favourites & odds for Champion Day Grade 1 races
Champion Hurdle suggestions
We’ve seen some great scenes on the Cheltenham Festival down the years but when CONSTITUTION HILL was to take back his Champion Hurdle crown on Tuesday I believe that may be right up there. It has been well documented what the horse has passed through and his trainer Nicky Henderson has needed to put up with a media barrage throughout. The facts are he has won each starts this season and so they seem blissful they’ve him back to his best. He looked electric in a racecourse gallop at Kempton just last week and appears to be peaking at just the proper time.
After much deliberation Gordon Elliott has decided to take a shot at glory with the mare Brighterdaysahead and he or she is anticipated to make a race of it. She has only tasted defeat herself once and looked something out of the odd winning by 30 lengths at Leopardstown when last seen. She is clearly very talented and does get the mares allowance besides I believe she’ll lose ground at her flights compared to Structure Hill and might at all times be coming off second best.
With Structure Hill absent last yr State Man won the race and located himself back within the winners enclosure on the Dublin Racing Festival last month profiting from a fall from Lossiemouth. He doesn’t look the force of old though and can likely struggle to maintain tabs on them. King Of Kingsfield is more likely to be used as a pacemaker for Brighterdaysahead so that would leave something at a much bigger price to select up the pieces for third which may very well be Golden Ace who comes here as an alternative of the Mares route.
2 CONSTITUTION HILL
- Trainer: Nicky Henderson
- Jockey: Nico de Boinville
- Form: 111-1111-1-11
- Age: 8yo
- Weight: 11-10
🏇 Structure Hill to win the Champion Hurdle at 8/13 with Betfred 🏇
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle suggestions
Before we get stuck into the primary race of the Cheltenham Festival I just wish to mention what a pleasant gesture it’s from the Jockey Club and SkyBet to rename the race the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Michael won the race 2 years ago on Marine Nationale and it’s going to likely be quite an emotional watch this yr because the talented jockey is remembered. Barry Connell does even have his colors represented on this yr’s race with William Munny who was very impressive at Punchestown. He probably needs softer ground to be seen to best effect besides he’s in there with a probability.
All eyes can be on KOPEK DES BORDES and the way he goes all the way down to the beginning. So long as he doesn’t boil over within the prelims I can see him being really difficult to beat. He was so impressive on the Dublin Racing Festival and appears a horse with the world at his feet. He’s a free goer however the engine was there for all to see last time and he can only improve again as he learns find out how to race. On account of his price I even have had an each way saver on WORKAHEAD at a pleasant price. Henry de Bromhead won the race last yr and this horse impressed beating William Munny so the shape has worked out well.
Salvator Mundi has been a drifter within the betting but he’s already a Grade 2 winner and if he jumps higher here which I envisage him doing so he could definitely get competitive. Irancy impressed beating Will The Sensible at Punchestown and despite lacking a recent run is one other one you could possibly see improving so don’t completely rule him out either in what looks prefer it may very well be quite a superb renewal with strength in depth this yr.
5 KOPEK DES BORDES
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Jockey: Paul Townend
- Form: 1-11
- Age: 5yo
- Weight: 11-7
🏇 Kopek Des Bordes to win the Supreme Novices’ at 10/11 with bet365 🏇
12 WORKAHEAD
- Trainer: Henry de Bromhead
- Jockey: Rachael Blackmore
- Form: 31
- Age: 7yo
- Weight: 11-7
🏇 Workahead to win the Supreme Novices’ at 13/2 with bet365 🏇
Arkle Chase suggestions
The last time the Arkle only had 5 runners it was won by the favourite Shishkin back in 2021. It’s a shame we only have a handful of runners this yr but Willie Mullins won’t mind that as MAJBOROUGH looks to have plenty going for him. He at all times promised to make a greater chaser and he resides as much as expectations having won each starts over fences this season. He can jump higher than he did on the Dublin Racing Festival but that didn’t stop him winning by 9 lengths and he is barely going to enhance as he gains more experience.
L’eau du Sud takes his probability for Dan and Harry Skelton but he looked to have a harder race than needed when winning at Warwick and will help set it up for the favourite. He’s 4-4 over fences himself but I’m not sold about him off the bridle and think he may very well be up against it. Tactically it’s going to be fascinating to see who goes to the front but whatever happens I don’t expect Mark Walsh to be far behind.
Only By Night has opted to return here as an alternative of the Mares and he or she could run well without threatening. Jango Baie was impressive beating Springwell Bay on debut over fences before bumping into Handstands at Sandown. He’s a pleasant horse but this requires one other step up. The higher ground should suit though and I’d actually see him as a greater danger than L’eau du Sud although I’d be very confident within the favourite taking this one.
3 MAJBOROUGH
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Jockey: Mark Walsh
- Form: 31-11
- Age: 5yo
- Weight: 11-7
🏇 Majborough to win the Arkle Chase at 4/9 with talkSPORT BET 🏇
Ultima Handicap Chase suggestions
I at all times like to have a look at the trends ahead of the Ultima and a horse that matches plenty this yr is BROADWAY BOY for the Twiston-Davies team. This 7yo took rather well to fences winning 3 of his first 4 starts including twice at this track. Things haven’t gone to plan as such this season but he shaped well in defeat here on return after which bumped into Kandoo Kid at Newbury which was one other good run in defeat. His jumping let him down last time but he has had an operation on his knees since and has reportedly schooled rather well at home. He still has plenty of potential and I believe he deserves to be favourite.
The Changing Man is favourite on the time of writing and he had been a ’nearly’ horse before being presented with the race at Ascot. He’s on an upward curve now though so is respected. Katate Dori was mega impressive winning by 15 lengths at Kempton but this comes soon enough so that may be a bit concerning. Whistle Stop Tour had excuses behind Jagwar when only fifth here last time and if bouncing back may very well be one in all the full of life dangers.
the larger prices within the race Trelawne remains to be flippantly raced for his age and was actually sent off favourite for this race before falling at just the second fence. He has gone under the radar somewhat but carries top-weight so it could take an enormous performance. I do think he’ll stay this far but he must prove he can handle this faster ground.
3 BROADWAY BOY
- Trainer: Nigel Twiston-Davies
- Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies
- Form: 2214U11-121135-324
- Age: 7yo
- Weight: 11-12
🏇 Broadway Boy to win the Ultima Handicap at 9/1 with SBK 🏇
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle suggestions
I can’t have been the just one surprised at LOSSIEMOUTH choosing this race as an alternative of the Champion Hurdle. The reasoning does make sense as she took a heavy fall at Leopardstown when last seen and was also held by Structure Hill at Kempton. There is barely one Champion Hurdle though and I assumed Wealthy Ricci would give it a shot especially as they’ve said all along that they’d a ’two yr plan’ together with her. The facts are she’s going to take an awful lot of beating on this as quite simply she is a cut above. I never normally like backing horses off the back of a fall but she has never fallen before and I’m willing to make an exception as she remains to be a really exciting mare.
I’m wondering if her age had so much to do with the choice as she stays only a 6yo so loads of time to have a go at the large one in years to return. She obviously won this by 3 lengths last yr and I’m struggling to see any different final result. She seems higher suited by this trip nowadays and is deservedly a brief price to defend her crown.
Stablemate Jade De Grugy won by 6 lengths at Punchestown last month and is trading because the second favourite. I’ve not been convinced by her though and was willing to take her on before Lossiemouth switched. July Flower would probably be my idea of the danger as she beat Kala Conti by 4 lengths at Leopardstown and has been put away with this because the goal. Henry de Bromhead was interviewed a few days ago and seemed pretty bullish that she would put up an enormous performance.
9 LOSSIEMOUTH
- Trainer: Willie Mullins
- Jockey: Paul Townend
- Form: 11211-111-12F
- Age: 6yo
- Weight: 11-5
🏇 Lossiemouth to win the Mares’ Hurdle at 4/6 with Paddy Power 🏇
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle suggestions
I can see this big field scenario really suiting STENCIL and he’s a confident bet to go close on this. It’s fiercely competitive but he was an enormous eye-catcher chasing home East India Dock on Trials Day here when last seen and this has likely been the plan all along. A gap mark of 135 looks lenient and if he settles higher and jumps well then that’s half the battle. He won 2 from 3 in France before coming over to those shores and brings plenty of potential to the table.
The Irish are mob handed on this and have some strong opposition probably headed by Total Search for Gavin Cromwell. This 4yo beat Beyond Your Dreams at Navan after which was beaten here and at Punchestown. He has loads of experience and his trainer can actually ready one so watch the market on him. Beyond Your Dreams obviously ties in with the Cromwell horse and sports first-time cheekpieces so is one other full of life danger.
There are plenty at larger prices able to getting involved too. Hot Fuss was beaten 4 lengths by East India Dock at Wincanton so would definitely have claims on that run and won on the Flat just last month to place him spot on for this. Murcia can be interesting with Rachael Blackmore booked.
4 STENCIL
- Trainer: Noel George & Amanda Zetterholm
- Jockey: James Reveley
- Form: 1-162
- Age: 4yo
- Weight: 11-11
🏇 Stencil to win the Juvenile Handicap at 3.7/1 with SBK 🏇
National Hunt Chase suggestions
A large open renewal and in reality any of 4 or 5 are able to getting involved here. HAITI COULEURS is unexposed though and appears all about stamina so should run an enormous race for Rebecca Curtis. Back over hurdles he ran well to complete third at Newbury last month and this has likely been the plan for some time. That form beating Transmission here looks decent and he must have plenty more improvement to return over fences especially over a marathon trip like this.
Now Is The Hour is favourite for Gavin Cromwell and he should be respected as this trip looks sure to suit him on the evidence we’ve seen. He goes handicapping for the primary time and appears an enormous danger. Transmission has been running well and should you forgive him that last run behind Gowel Road and co he definitely comes into the reckoning.
At a much larger price I assumed Hasthing could run well. He won twice at Windsor after which caught the attention staying on well behind Victtorino at Ascot. This higher ground should suit and if he stays the trip I wouldn’t have him as big as 16/1. Captain Cody looks all about stamina and is unlikely to be distant but possibly just lacks a gear change when needed as he showed when third to Three Card Brag at Navan.
6 HAITI COLEURS
- Trainer: Rebecca Curtis
- Jockey: Ben Jones
- Form: 22411-2113
- Age: 8yo
- Weight: 11-4
🏇 Haiti Coleurs to win the National Hunt Chase at 10/3 with Paddy Power 🏇
Cheltenham Day 1 Race Schedule
| TIME | RACE | DISTANCE | TYPE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:20 | The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) | 2m | Hurdle |
| 14:00 | The My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) | 2m | Chase |
| 14:40 | The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) | 3m abt 1f | Chase |
| 15:20 | The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1) | 2m abt 4f | Hurdle |
| 16:00 | The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) | 2m | Hurdle |
| 16:40 | The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap) | 2m | Hurdle |
| 17:20 | The National Hunt Novices’ Chase (Novices’ Steeple Chase) (Novices’ Handicap) | 3m abt 6f | Chase |
Cheltenham 2025 Hub
Concerning the writer
Joe Norris
I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to offer every day sports betting suggestions, with the predominant give attention to horse racing. Over time, I’ve earned a status for offering reliable and profitable suggestions, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a large community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.
Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO
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